Linear theory of Richtmyer-Meshkov like flows

Abstract

The hydrodynamic flow generated by rippled shocks and rarefactions (RichtmyerMeshkov like flows) is presented. When a corrugated shock travels inside an homogeneous fluid, it leaves pressure, density and velocity perturbations in the compressed fluid. The velocity perturbations generated in the composed fluid are inherently rotational. Vorticity is an important quantity in order to determine the asymptotic rate of growth in the linear stage. The size of the strongest vortices generated by the rippled shocks is analyzed as a function of the shock Mach number for different boundary conditions downstream. Comparison to experiments and simulations is provided for the RMI in the shock and rarefaction reflected cases and the validity of the growth law ψ∞+ δvi∞is emphasized.